*Planning our Must Do's = BoOzE & Food* Nov '12 F&W Fest PTR*10/31 I leave TODAY!

[rachel09985]

Rachel: Happy Birthday!!!! (well, in a few hours. It is 9/9 right?)

And thanks for confiding in us about your knief phobia... they say admitting you have a problem is the first step!!

Yay for Disney gift cards!

Enjoy your special day!!

Thank you! Yep, it is tomorrow.

I am glad I got my knife phobia off of my chest, lol! I swear I don't know what my issue is.

 

[emmysmommy]

I thought I would post this link on here! I made this video on my MacBook iMovie and I am super proud. This is from my family trip in June 2011.

You have to watch it on your computer because of copyright laws it won't let you watch it on Mobile Phones, I don't get it!

Family Disney Trip

What a great video/slide show - you did an awesome job!!! I have no idea how to edit video but I would love to try this sometime. I only have made the basic photo slide shows with music.

You must have been there during Star Wars weekend! Also there were so many great food moments in your presentation that it is making me hungry!!

(I also see Emmysmommy here!)

ha! Hi there Christen!

 

[KTgE]

Joining in...now I need to go back and read all your plans.

 

[Aussiesalad]

I'm super hungry after all your food pics!!

I'm the same with the pre trip list of things to buy.
I swear that is what makes holidays so expensive!

So far for my upcoming trip I have got a new camera bag, a new non camera bag, new flip flops, new toms and a ridiculous amount of clothes.
Haha broke but prepared?

 

[Tracerr00]

Happy belated birthday! Wow, there was a lot of meat at that meal!! Too bad it wasn't your favorite meal in the world. However I'm glad that I won't have to drive all the way there from WI to try it out now. Have you ever tried Fogo in Minneapolis? I hear that is pretty good but then again if you've got your knife phobia, it might be similar to this place!

And how about those Packers last night? I was a little nervous after last weekend's game but thank goodness they redeemed themselves!

 

[happy2012]

Happy Birthday Rachel!!!


I was cracking up over ur review w/ the knives!!
BTW we got the same birthday gifts..dinner & WDW gift cards. Everyone in my life knows WDW gift cards is ALL I ever want. I hope for them for everything.

I really wanted to try a Brazil Steakhouse but did not want to compare it to 'Ohana either, so we have yet to try one.

 

[rachel09985]

Joining in...now I need to go back and read all your plans.

Thanks!! I am glad to have you, hopefully I will post some more this weekend!

I'm super hungry after all your food pics!!

I'm the same with the pre trip list of things to buy.
I swear that is what makes holidays so expensive!

So far for my upcoming trip I have got a new camera bag, a new non camera bag, new flip flops, new toms and a ridiculous amount of clothes.
Haha broke but prepared?

Haha, about the expensive thing! That is the truth, I always need more things before vacation! Your shopping list seems like mine! Do you wear toms to the park? I have tried them before but I don't think they fit me very well.

Happy belated birthday! Wow, there was a lot of meat at that meal!! Too bad it wasn't your favorite meal in the world. However I'm glad that I won't have to drive all the way there from WI to try it out now. Have you ever tried Fogo in Minneapolis? I hear that is pretty good but then again if you've got your knife phobia, it might be similar to this place!

And how about those Packers last night? I was a little nervous after last weekend's game but thank goodness they redeemed themselves!

I haven't tried Fogo yet! I don't think we will because it is much more expensive and probably similar to Rodizio Grill. Do you have anything else you like in Minneapolis for us to try?

I know my boyfriend was soo excited about the packers game! When they faked the kick for the touchdown he was crazy! When we are on vaca he will miss the Packers game and he is really upset!

Happy Birthday Rachel!!!


I was cracking up over ur review w/ the knives!!
BTW we got the same birthday gifts..dinner & WDW gift cards. Everyone in my life knows WDW gift cards is ALL I ever want. I hope for them for everything.

I really wanted to try a Brazil Steakhouse but did not want to compare it to 'Ohana either, so we have yet to try one.

Thanks for the bday wishes!!!! I love those bday gifts- food and WDW gift cards! Perfect presents!!! Really anything Disney I would like! I also got an amazon gift card so I can buy something cool on Amazon!

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Rachel. How's the planning and prep going for the trip?

I have a whole new respect for Corey knowing that he is a Packers fan!! (My hubby is a big cheese head.)

You are getting closer and closer.. I hope the excitement is growing as well.

 

[rachel09985]

Hi Rachel. How's the planning and prep going for the trip?

I have a whole new respect for Corey knowing that he is a Packers fan!! (My hubby is a big cheese head.)

You are getting closer and closer.. I hope the excitement is growing as well.

Hi Brenda!!

I know, I have been bad with this. I have kind of been in a planning rut lately. Major procrastination kicking in!

Excitement is definitely growing but I can't make any decisions!

I think I remember reading your husband was a Packers fan! That is awesome, cheeseheads unite!! Haha, I am defaulted as a Packers fan since Corey is.

I am going to update something right now although it doesn't really have much planning in it.

 

[rachel09985]

Hi friends!

I am sorry I haven't updated this in a while but I have kind of been in a planning rut! I have been super busy at work to the point of being stressed which is rare for me, and I have been trying to work out after work to relieve some of that stress so I haven't had much time!

My planning rut is mostly procrastination. See, I am still undecided about my Thursday vs. Monday (about when to do AK) and I can't make up my mind so I am procrastinating until I absolutely HAVE to make up my mind about what to do! No one cares about our plans besides myself so I can't get input from Corey or Emily so I am left to decide for myself, thus lies the problem! I am super excited about our upcoming trip I just am not really in a planning mood. I look at stuff all the time but I can't plan my trip. But when I do I have a great Excel spreadsheet I am going to post! I still have a lot to write about on here so I better get going!

This update will be a picture heavy report about life's little pleasures!

To start off we only have 39 days left! We are under the 40 day mark! I paid our trip off last Monday with Corey's Visa so we have 6 months to pay it off plus we get Disney reward dollars.

Food PORN! If you have ever heard of Raising Cane's and have access to it I highly suggest trying it. BEST Chicken fingers in the worldd!

Also, these new Healthy Choice frozen yogurts cup are incredibly good! I recommend them. Very creamy and light and only 100 cals per cup!

Warning: Puppy Pic! I love my little Lola!

If you have ever heard of Nadia Cakes- in SoCal, they were the winners on Cupcake Wars. Well they opened up a store in Maple Grove, MN. We got 4 cupcakes, one being a red velvet which was Corey's. So when he was eating his cupcake he pulls this long hair out of the cake! Sick!!! I know the hair had to be baked in the cake because it was wrapped up in their. Anyways, I contacted the Maple Grove store and told them because I think they should know. I didn't expect anything but they are sending me a gift card. I told them not to but she insisted. They were really great with their customer service. Here are the 4 cupcakes we got.

Okay, now onto this weekend!

I went shopping yesterday and was BAD, very very bad!! I bought my new zoom lens I wanted along with a case for my computer so it doesn't get dirty. And I bought a new pair of jeans(from Express) with my $40 off my birthday! They are a littttle tight in the legs but perfect in the waist. Since I gained a little bit of weight I have a hard time finding jeans. These are probably the best I am going to do. I hope they stretch out.

Also, this is kind of a funny story. I wanted to sell my old POS computer from college so I was going through my computer bag. I opened up the Windows XP booklet and out falls this $25 gift card to Target, looks like it was never opened. It said To Dad From Josh & Jessica, which is my brother and sister. I don't know how it got in there but it had to be from 2004 because that was when my computer was set up! I called and it still had the full $25 on it!!! Haha. I am not telling my dad I found it!! Hopefully you don't think I am a bad person!

Anyways, I had the idea to buy a Disney gift card with it! Unfortunately they don't have $25 only $50 so I bought a $50 one and paid for the rest with my own money! So far I have $110 in disney gift Cards and Corey and I will get about $45 in Disney rewards dollars, so I will have $132 dollars to spend and not have to worry about saving extra for.

Corey and I went to lunch today and after we got home I fell asleep from the food coma in the chair. When I woke up Corey showed me his phone and THIS was on it!

Kinda funny but cute and the only reason it is cute is because of Lola!

One last pic- I made this yummy taco dip tonight. It was my first taco dip ever! It is very good

Anyways, I promise I will post another post tomorrow that is actual Disney related. I figured for every Disney post comes a real life update!

FYI I just took this video tonight- hope it works. Every single night Lola gets her toys out of her box one by one. Its annoying! Anyways, I filmed it tonight because it is funny!

 

[emmysmommy]

Glad to see an update Rachel!! The sleeping photo is adorable - of both you and Lola!

I understand how indecision can make you want to just wish it away for now. Is your dilemma where to place AK - either your first day or your last. (from post #58?) If so... I suggest going ahead and doing AK the first day since I believe you can do most all of what you want in an afternoon and then leave an open day later for your friend Emily to choose a park. Since you don't have a set ADR for lunch the day that Emily flies in you have some flexibility to go earlier if necessary to AK and eat lunch there. Just an idea but heck there's always one more thing to consider.

How exciting for the new camera lens - I fully expect to see some quality photos front and center when you get back!

Hooray for 39 days!

 

[rachel09985]

Glad to see an update Rachel!! The sleeping photo is adorable - of both you and Lola!

I understand how indecision can make you want to just wish it away for now. Is your dilemma where to place AK - either your first day or your last. (from post #58?) If so... I suggest going ahead and doing AK the first day since I believe you can do most all of what you want in an afternoon and then leave an open day later for your friend Emily to choose a park. Since you don't have a set ADR for lunch the day that Emily flies in you have some flexibility to go earlier if necessary to AK and eat lunch there. Just an idea but heck there's always one more thing to consider.

How exciting for the new camera lens - I fully expect to see some quality photos front and center when you get back!

Hooray for 39 days!

Thanks for your suggestions! That is what I am thinking because I don't really want to be rushing the day that Emily has to leave on Magical Express at 5:00pm and I want it to be a slow day. But then again i am worried because if Corey and I go to AK the morning she is supposed to show up and if her plane is delayed then we are pretty much screwed because we don't have park hoppers.. I dunno, too many decisions and I am sure I will have fun no matter what I just second guess myself a lot.

 

[francis6306]

OMG, I miss Cane's!!!!!!! We had one in Hattiesburg, and it was the BEST! I could DRINK that sauce!!!

 

[rachel09985]

OMG, I miss Cane's!!!!!!! We had one in Hattiesburg, and it was the BEST! I could DRINK that sauce!!!

I know!!! Isn't it good! I dip the chicken and fries in that sauce! I love it!!!

 

[happy2012]

Nice update Rachel! Lola is SOOO CUTE!!! The taco dip looks delish! OMGOSHHH you bought a WDW gift card w/ ur dad's target card. Ah ha ha! Hopefully he's not a disser.

 

[rachel09985]

Nice update Rachel! Lola is SOOO CUTE!!! The taco dip looks delish! OMGOSHHH you bought a WDW gift card w/ ur dad's target card. Ah ha ha! Hopefully he's not a disser.

Hi Maura! Haha I sure hope my dad is not a disser!! I can't believe I found it!

 

[Tracerr00]

First of all, I had Cane's for the first time not too long ago and OMG it was soooo good! The sad part is, my friend and I were going to Benihana in Maple Grove and my DD was going to stay at her place with her DDs so we got them Cane's for dinner before we went out. I had a taste of her chicken and fries with that sauce and I almost wanted to say heck with Benihana, let's just say and eat this!! So there is a Raising Cane's very close to the MOA and I plan to visit it soon.

My friend also told me about the Nadia Cakes and said that we should go there sometime. But YUCK about the hair! I hope the next cupcakes were better. There is a cupcake place here in the mall now and I've only found one cupcake that was to die for (and I've tried lots of them). Not that they're bad because they're not, it's just that they aren't amazing. the frosting however is fantastic!

Nice score with the Target card! Every little bit helps!

 

[rachel09985]

First of all, I had Cane's for the first time not too long ago and OMG it was soooo good! The sad part is, my friend and I were going to Benihana in Maple Grove and my DD was going to stay at her place with her DDs so we got them Cane's for dinner before we went out. I had a taste of her chicken and fries with that sauce and I almost wanted to say heck with Benihana, let's just say and eat this!! So there is a Raising Cane's very close to the MOA and I plan to visit it soon.

My friend also told me about the Nadia Cakes and said that we should go there sometime. But YUCK about the hair! I hope the next cupcakes were better. There is a cupcake place here in the mall now and I've only found one cupcake that was to die for (and I've tried lots of them). Not that they're bad because they're not, it's just that they aren't amazing. the frosting however is fantastic!

Nice score with the Target card! Every little bit helps!

Hello!!!
Yes, Canes is good!! That is the one we go to, right by the mall! There is one at the university too but we just go to the one by the mall.

I just looked up the cupcake place at the MOA!! It is called Cupcake?? I have always wanted to try it!! That is exciting they are at the mall now. I might have to go there this weekend! Do you work this weekend? I should come in and say and introduce myself What cupcake did you like from that place?

 

[Tracerr00]

Hello!!!
Yes, Canes is good!! That is the one we go to, right by the mall! There is one at the university too but we just go to the one by the mall.

I just looked up the cupcake place at the MOA!! It is called Cupcake?? I have always wanted to try it!! That is exciting they are at the mall now. I might have to go there this weekend! Do you work this weekend? I should come in and say and introduce myself What cupcake did you like from that place?

Darn! I won't be working this weekend. I typically work M-F until 4:30 but every now and then I work on a weekend (if I want to take a day off during the week and not waste a vacation day). Let's see...I've tried many cupcakes at Cupcake! I liked chocolate with pistachio frosting, white with pink frosting, triple vanilla (or something like that with white cupcake, white chocolate frosting and a custard filling), the carrot cake is fantastic, the chai cupcake is also good. Apparently I go there a lot, right? Maybe we should plan to meet up for a cupcake sometime!

 

[rachel09985]

Darn! I won't be working this weekend. I typically work M-F until 4:30 but every now and then I work on a weekend (if I want to take a day off during the week and not waste a vacation day). Let's see...I've tried many cupcakes at Cupcake! I liked chocolate with pistachio frosting, white with pink frosting, triple vanilla (or something like that with white cupcake, white chocolate frosting and a custard filling), the carrot cake is fantastic, the chai cupcake is also good. Apparently I go there a lot, right? Maybe we should plan to meet up for a cupcake sometime!

Thats ok that you don't work this weekend. We should meet up sometime, or for gelato!! I love that Paciugo!